Libertarians boast they are “Pro-Choice on Everything.” The Pro-Choice Libertarians network is made up of libertarians who want to keep the government out of the abortion issue, as well as other reproductive rights issues. We consider ourselves “anti-prohibition” on the issue. We emphasize both women’s rights to control their bodies and the negative consequences of abortion prohibition. See our Principles page which details how various libertarians defend the right to abortion through applying one or more of four basic libertarian principles: individual liberty, self-ownership, self-determination and limited government. Also learn about our strategies in our Mission Statement.

Since our formation in 1987, Pro-Choice Libertarians has been active in the Libertarian Party, especially in years when abortion prohibitionists, and “moderate” libertarians trying to appeal to them, have tried to eliminate the party’s pro-choice plank. The enemies of freedom want this pro-choice libertarian position OUT of the Libertarian Party platform and OUT of the libertarian philosophy. They are fanatics who will continue to infiltrate the state and national parties and harass libertarians with the intention of removing pro-choice planks from party platforms. The end goal is to make the LP an abortion prohibitionist party.

During the 2006 Libertarian Party national convention in Portland, Oregon a mere 303 delegates led by so-called “reformists” gutted the whole Libertarian Party platform, including the abortion plank. It did remain pro-choice and has since read: “Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.”

At the 2016 Orlando Libertarian Party national convention abortion prohibition activists again tried to remove from the LP platform the abortion plank, even rallying the Platform Committee behind them. Pro-choice libertarians online and at the convention once again thwarted their plans. And we nominated pro-choice Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates Gary Johnson and William Weld.

We oppose anti-abortion legislative efforts nationwide. The Republican Party has used the abortion issue to take power in many states over the last 15 years. And today many states are using regulations to close abortion clinics, discouraging women seeking legal abortions, punishing women for natural miscarriages on dubious charges and even attempting to outlaw now legal abortions.

Libertarians are and must continue to be part of the efforts to repeal these outrageous laws and regulations. Starting with making sure that the Libertarian Party STAYS pro-choice on everything. Additionally we must strengthen the national platform to detail our opposition to these government restrictions on women’s reproductive freedom and lobby state parties without abortion planks to include one reflecting the party’s position.

Unfortunately, as more Republicans enter the party, more prohibitionists will try to change the party’s view. We must educate these new libertarians as to the necessity of keeping the government out of the issue and seeking only voluntary means of dealing with the problem of unwanted and/or dangerous pregnancies. And we must educate ex-Democrats and independent pro-choicers entering the party so they understand why libertarianism opposes government paying for abortion.

3 thoughts on “Our Network”

The platform committee has several options of the abortion plank, I think you will be able to find a version that will be acceptable. I would hate to not be able to proudly wear my Pro-Choice on everything pin. If you have not seen the committees survey please contact the chair Alicia Matson.

Right on guys. The anti-choice, anti-women, anti-freedom frantics try to take over any political organization they can, be it Republican, Democratic, Tea Partyl or Libertarian. I am all on board against this.

I am fully against the removal of this plank, and will vote accordingly. I believe that this is an issue that we want to ensure is covered to some degree in our platform as opposed to leaving it completely open for debate.